Protest camp in Ulm: Activists demand freedom for those arrested!

Protest camp in Ulm: Activists demand freedom for those arrested!

In the last few days, the scene in front of the Israeli arms company Elbit Systems in Ulm was dominated by tents and activists. After several days, the protest camp has now ended, and around 150 participants cleared the meadow on Sunday evening without any significant incidents, as a police spokesman reported. The peaceful gathering called for the release of two men and three women who were taken into custody following an incident at the Elbit site. These five suspects were involved in an operation that included a break-in and daubing the entrance with paint, with property damage estimated at around one million euros.

The protest, under the slogan “Shut Elbit Down,” was directed against the company’s role in the context of the conflict in the Middle East. Activists called for a German arms embargo against Israel and drew attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The numbers are alarming: According to official figures, at least 48,577 people died in Gaza in the last conflict, a circumstance that is seen as a direct call for intervention in Germany. The accusation of genocide made by UN experts is echoed in the conversations of the protesters, who are also drawing attention to the abuses in the West Bank.

Protest and repression

The first tents were erected on Tuesday evening on a green strip in front of the office building. About 80 activists were there on Wednesday. The camp was larger than a previous one in April and the city approved the erection of up to 150 tents, underscoring the willingness to mobilize. Activists from all over Germany and even from abroad, including people from Gaza, made their way to Ulm. The BDS movement, which advocates boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, was also strongly represented and organized bus trips to the protest camp. Its aim was to draw attention to the current situation in Gaza through information events, art activities and workshops.

But not everything went without complications. There were already incidents on Thursday when a personal dispute with the police took place, which resulted in two arrests. A suspect and a woman were arrested for resisting law enforcement officers, with a female police officer suffering minor injuries. The organizers of the protest spoke of “disproportionate violence” by the police and criticized the city of Ulm’s restrictions on the right to assembly.

Political dimension

The situation in Gaza has now deteriorated even further. The Israeli government appears to have launched a new offensive in recent months, while the humanitarian situation in the area is described as catastrophic. People are starving and water supplies are threatened by ongoing blockades and attacks. A circumstance that gives the protesters in Ulm and beyond a strong argument for their actions.

The publication of the demonstrators' activities and the consideration of the issues raised come in a climate in which criticism of Israel is loudly rejected and often defamed as anti-Semitism. These are serious allegations directed against German foreign policy, which in many cases are viewed as violations of the principles of international law. Given this complex political situation, it remains to be seen what impact the protests will have on public perception and political decisions in Germany.

The events in Ulm and the associated demands clearly show that social debate about the Middle East conflict and Germany's role in it is urgently needed. Against this background, resistance to arms imports and the demand for a responsible foreign policy are more important than ever.